adhesive

[ ad-hee-siv, -ziv ]
See synonyms for adhesive on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. coated with glue, paste, mastic, or other sticky substance: adhesive bandages.

  2. sticking fast; sticky; clinging.

  1. Physics. of or relating to the molecular force that exists in the area of contact between unlike bodies and that acts to unite them.

noun
  1. a substance that causes something to adhere, as glue or rubber cement.

  1. Philately. a postage stamp with a gummed back, as distinguished from one embossed or printed on an envelope or card.

Origin of adhesive

1
First recorded in 1660–70; adhes(ion) + -ive

Other words from adhesive

  • ad·he·sive·ly, adverb
  • ad·he·sive·ness, noun
  • non·ad·he·sive, adjective
  • non·ad·he·sive·ly, adverb
  • non·ad·he·sive·ness, noun
  • sem·i·ad·he·sive, adjective
  • sem·i·ad·he·sive·ly, adverb
  • sem·i·ad·he·sive·ness, noun
  • un·ad·he·sive, adjective
  • un·ad·he·sive·ly, adverb
  • un·ad·he·sive·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for adhesive

adhesive

/ (ədˈhiːsɪv) /


adjective
  1. able or designed to adhere; sticky: adhesive tape

  2. tenacious or clinging

noun
  1. a substance used for sticking objects together, such as glue, cement, or paste

Derived forms of adhesive

  • adhesively, adverb
  • adhesiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for adhesive

adhesive

[ ăd-hēsĭv ]


Noun
  1. A substance, such as paste or cement, that causes two surfaces to stick together. Adhesives are made of gelatin or other substances, such as epoxy, resin, or polyethylene.

Adjective
  1. Relating to adhesion.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.